TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fabric which can emit light to the environment by means of at least one fiber optic and at least one light source.

PRIOR ART

As known, textile and dressing are among the most important needs since the creation of human beings. Textile can be defined as the art of obtaining surface from any kind of fiber by using various methods (knitting, weaving and methods for obtaining non-woven surface).

Textile, which is as old as the history of humanity, takes different forms by means of development of technology. As a result of hybrid usage of traditional methods with new polymers, product variety increases. When literature studies are examined, different characteristics are provided to the woven surfaces by means of conductor and insulator surfaces formed by coatings, and sensors integrated to the fabric, and conductor yarns used in warp and weft.

The application with no JP2008511761 known in the literature relates to textile field. Optic fiber is used on the subject matter textile material. Pluralities of textile materials are provided on said optic fiber textile material and are associated with a light source. The end of each optic fiber forms a pattern on the textile material. The light source provides illumination by giving light to these patterns. Additionally, light with different colors can be given and a light animation can be formed.

As in this application known in the art, textile materials are begun to be used in areas different from dressing. Even though the usage of textile materials has expanded to various fields, the desired expanding in health field has not been obtained. This condition has remained as open to development in the present art.

As a result, because of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fabric, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fabric which can realize information transfer by means of emitting meaningful light to the environment by detecting a physical data.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric which can emit meaningful light to the periphery depending on temperature, humidity, movement, sense change, pulse, saturation (SPO2 level of oxygen in blood), electromagnetic field change, gas, radiation.

In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention is a fabric which can emit light to the environment by means of at least one fiber optic and at least one light source. Accordingly, the improvement is that in order to detect the physical characteristic in a structure and in order to give information by emitting meaningful light to the environment; the subject matter fabric comprises at least one sensor which can realize detection, and at least one control unit which can manage the operation of said light source in accordance with the detection result obtained from said sensor. Thus, physical characteristic is detected depending on the characteristic of the light emitted to the environment by the fabric.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the light source is at least one RGB Led which can emit light in pluralities of colors. Thus, light can be given with different colors onto the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature. Thus, temperature tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a humidity sensor configured to detect humidity. Thus, humidity tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a movement sensor configured to detect movement. Thus, movement tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric. In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a sense change sensor configured to detect sense change. Thus, the sense change is easily detected by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a pulse sensor configured to detect pulse. Thus, pulse tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a saturation sensor configured to detect the oxygen level in blood. Thus, tracking of oxygen level in blood can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is an electromagnetic field sensor configured to detect electromagnetic field. Thus, electromagnetic field tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor can be a related gas sensor configured to detect the gas level. Thus, gas level tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a radiation level sensor configured to detect the radiation level. Thus, radiation level tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the system is controlled by means of integrated circuit (IC). Thus, an easily accessible control unit structure is obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , a representative schematic view of the subject matter fabric is given.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable. With reference to Figure 1 , the present invention relates to a fabric (10). The subject matter fabric (10) is configured to be colored in accordance with the physical (changing) characteristics of the structure whereon said fabric (10) is put and to give information about this physical (changing) characteristic to the environment. The fabric (10) is primarily woven by means of weft yarns and warp yarns for obtaining a textile material form. Warp yarn is yarn which is parallel to the edge along the length of the fabric (10) which is to be woven. Warp yarn is yarn guided in a parallel manner towards the length of the fabric (10), in other words, the edge of the fabric (10) among two yarn systems which form the fabric (10) in textile industry. Weft yarns are passed through it in accordance with weaving draft plan. Weft yarn is yarn which passes from one edge of the fabric (10) to the other edge of the fabric (10) in the transverse direction between the warp yarns in woven fabric (10). These two yarns together form the tissue of the fabric (10).

There is at least one fiber optic (11 ) fiber on the fabric (10). Said fiber optic (11 ) fiber is a fiber type which enables transmitting of light through it. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, fiber optic (11) can be made of glass or plastic-based material. Pluralities of fiber optic (11) fibers are positioned on the fabric (10) and use light signals. The fiber optic (11) is preferably woven together with weft and warp yarns of the fabric (10) and is placed onto the fabric (10). The fiber optic (11) is preferably placed to the fabric (10) by being woven at a predetermined pattern between weft yarns and warp yarns on the fabric (10).

The fabric (10) is associated with at least one light source (12). Said light source (12) has light emitting characteristic onto the fiber optic (11). Thanks to the light transmitting characteristic thereof, the fiber optic (11) carries the light on the fabric (10) and provides emitting of light to the environment. By means of this, the fabric (10) is illuminated. The light source (12) can be configured to emit light to the fabric (10) at a predetermined arrangement. The light source (12) can preferably be RGB light source (12) which can emit light with different colors. By means of this, light is emitted to the environment with colors including different meanings. RGB light source (12) uses red, green, blue lights and can give light in big number of colors at different combinations. The meaning of each color is known beforehand, and by means of this, physical characteristics can be tracked.

The fabric (10) is associated with at least one control unit (13). Said control unit (13) is preferably connected to the light source (12). The control unit (13) enables energizing of the light source (12) and coloring of the light source (12) in a manner including meaning. The control unit (13) has the ability to determine the characteristic of light which is to be given from the light source (12) in accordance with the character of the physical feature. In order to be able to realize this, preferably microcontroller is used as the control unit (13). The elements needed for the operation of the control unit (13) are provided on the integrated circuit. The control unit (13) can thus be easily connected to the computer, and can be operated by means of adaptor or battery. During managing of the light unit by the control unit (13), the light source (12) may give light with different colors, and the light source (12) can give information to the environment by light rhythm which is intermittent or which describes a meaning.

The fabric (10) is associated with at least one sensor (14). Said sensor (14) enables obtaining of physical data for coloring of the fabric (10). For providing this, the sensor (14) can be an element configured to detect physical characteristic. The sensor (14) can be provided in different types depending on the characteristic of the physical feature.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a temperature sensor. By means of this, the temperature change at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, temperature tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10). When this structure is desired to be provided at smaller volumes, flexible film temperature sensors can be used for wearable products with code “FTNT55XH103FA1 A050”. By means of this, the sensor (14) dimension can be reduced to dimension of 100 |im.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a humidity sensor. By means of this, the humidity change at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, humidity tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a movement sensor. By means of this, the movement at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, movement tracking at a predetermined location can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a sense change sensor. By means of this, the sense change at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, movement tracking at a predetermined location can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a pulse sensor. By means of this, the change in pulse of the predetermined person is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, pulse tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a saturation (SPO2 oxygen level in blood) sensor. By means of this, the change in oxygen level of the predetermined person is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, tracking of change of oxygen in blood can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be an EMF (electromagnetic field) sensor. By means of this, the electromagnetic field change at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, electromagnetic field tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a gas sensor. By means of this, the gas change at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, electromagnetic field tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (14) can be a radiation sensor. By means of this, the radiation change at a predetermined location is detected by the fabric (10), and the fabric (10) is colored accordingly. Thus, electromagnetic field tracking can be easily realized by the person who sees the fabric (10).

The sensor (14) is not limited with these, and can be used for all structures which can be sensed by a technical system and which can be transformed into electrical signal. By means of this, the fabric (10) can have usage areas besides the described embodiments.

The fabric (10) is associated with at least one power supply (15). The power supply (15) is configured to give energy to the light source (12) for illumination of the fiber optic (11) fibers. In order to be able to realize this, the power supply (15) is also associated with the control unit (13). Energy passage to the light source (12) is provided depending on the data received from the control unit (13). The power supply (15) essentially comprises electrical energy. In a possible embodiment, the power supply (15) used for this purpose can be a battery (DC) and in another possible embodiment, the power supply (15) can be the mains supply (AC). By means of this, the energy needed for illumination and for microcontroller is provided.

In a possible usage of the present invention, the fabric (10) detects the temperature, which exists on the surface where measurement shall be realized, by means of the sensor (14). The result of the detection made is transferred to the control unit (13). On the control unit (13), the color of the light which shall be given by the light source in accordance with temperature values is adjusted. During this process, the needed energy is obtained from the power supply (15). Afterwards, the light emitted by the light source (12) is applied onto the fabric (10) by means of fiber optic (11 ), and the temperature of the surface where measurement shall be realized is provided to be understood by the person who looks at the fabric (10) from outside. For instance, when the fabric (10) is at room temperature, the light source (12) emits yellow color; and as a result of the temperature increase measured on the sensor (14), passage to the orange and red color occurs, and in case of excessive temperature, the fabric (10) surface emits red color intermittently. As a result of the temperature decrease measured on the sensor (14), passage to green and blue color occurs, and in case of excessive coldness, the fabric (10) surface emits blue color intermittently. Thus, a meaningful solution is provided by means of the illuminated fabric (10) which is knitted with fiber optic (11 ).

Together with all these embodiments, in the illuminated fabric (10) which is knitted with fiber optic (11), the different colors of light are provided to be meaningful. Depending on the characteristic sensed in the fabric (10), the fabric (10) can be used in various fields like medical, military fields and in daily lives. In medical applications and particularly for patients who need monitoring, the fabric (10) provides tracking in a remote manner comfortably instead of measuring the body temperature of the patient by regularly going near the patient. For the highest and lowest temperature values to be determined, the fabric (10) can provide warning by emitting light in that color tone intermittently.

In the fabric (10), the fiber optic (11) is fed by means of the visible light source (12). If illumination is realized as the light source (12) by feeding a wavelength (infrared IR) which cannot be sensed by human eye and if said light becomes visible by an eyeglass which shall make this wavelength visible, the fabric (10) can also be used for military purposes for important duties.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Fabric

11 Fiber optic 12 Light source

13 Control unit

14 Sensor

15 Power supply